The Heavens: Man Covers the Heavens, Refines Treasures to Become an Emperor

They were gathered together, clearly there to participate in the assessment.

Upon seeing Jiang Xuan, the expressions on their faces instantly became extremely complex. Qi Yunxiao's eyes held undisguised hatred and a hint of fear, while Yuan Shu's gaze was even more sinister, filled with deep apprehension.

Wen Mingxiu's eyes were the most complex, containing awe, a hint of resentment, and even a little bit of admiration that she herself was unaware of.

They had clearly heard about Jiang Xuan's "feat" at the Bihai Dojo, and knew that the gap in strength between the two sides had probably widened even further and was now difficult to bridge.

Just then, a young man dressed in brocade robes, with a composed demeanor and an air of confidence and arrogance between his brows, slowly walked to Wen Mingxiu and the others. This man was none other than Xue Shaolin, the top of the four geniuses of Yanxia Academy.

"Junior Sister Mingxiu, what are you looking at?"

Following the gaze of Wen Mingxiu and the others, Xue Shaolin happened to see Jiang Xuan's not particularly tall figure.

Qi Yunxiao gritted his teeth and said in a low voice.

"Senior Brother Xue, we've spotted a 'familiar face'."

Xue Shaolin's gaze sharpened slightly as he looked at Jiang Xuan's retreating figure again, a hint of interest curving his lips.

"Oh? Could it be... that's Jiang Xuan, who has recently risen to fame and even dared to defeat the Huang family members of the Forbidden City?"

He had long heard of Jiang Xuan's name and harbored some curiosity, wanting to know who this person was who could defeat Huang Jianchen. Although he could only see Jiang Xuan's back at this moment, he could still sense the other person's restrained and composed aura, which was definitely not that of an ordinary person.

"That's him."

Wen Mingxiu nodded, her tone complex.

Xue Shaolin gazed at Jiang Xuan's retreating figure, as if trying to remember this opponent. He muttered to himself, as if speaking to Wen Mingxiu and the others.

"He certainly has a certain air about him. I've long wanted to meet him and see what kind of ability this person has that could defeat Huang Jianchen. I hope I'll have the opportunity to spar with him during this assessment."

His tone was calm, yet it carried a powerful confidence and a surging fighting spirit.

Upon hearing this, Wen Mingxiu, Qi Yunxiao, and the others exchanged glances but remained silent. In the past, they would have undoubtedly believed Xue Shaolin would win.

But after witnessing Jiang Xuan's endless methods and his abnormal growth rate, they dared not make any further judgments.

This Jiang Xuan cannot be judged by ordinary standards at all!

Xue Shaolin observed Wen Mingxiu and the others' reactions, but instead of being displeased, his interest only grew stronger. "Even you are so wary of him... It seems this Jiang Xuan is even more interesting than I imagined. I suppose Yu Wenjing and Le Zhiyou have noticed him by now, haven't they?"

He seemed to have already foreseen that, because of Jiang Xuan's presence, this assessment would inevitably be filled with many unexpected variables and excitement.

Just as undercurrents were swirling within the assessment area, and the various geniuses harbored their own differing thoughts—

"clang--!"

A melodious and clear bell, seemingly capable of cleansing the soul, suddenly rang out from the heavens and earth, clearly reaching the ears of everyone present.

In an instant, the once bustling Qingyun Square fell into complete silence, as if a silencing spell had been cast! All eyes turned to the white jade platform high in the air in the east of the square!

Several figures were already seated on the high platform.

Their auras were either as deep as the sea, as sharp as a sword, or as heavy as a mountain. Just sitting there, they naturally exuded a heart-palpitating pressure, as if they were one with the surrounding world.

These are none other than the most powerful figures in the Southwest Province—Grand Commander Liu Wujun, Dean Wei Lingzhen of Yanxia Academy, and Du Dongtu, the leader of the Purple Feather Army, among other great cultivators! They will be the witnesses to this provincial examination!

Dean Wei Lingzhen, who was sitting in the center, slowly stood up.

He didn't raise his voice intentionally, but his calm and clear words, like a spring breeze brushing across the water, reached the ears of everyone in the square.

He first briefly announced the rules and precautions for the assessment, encouraging all young cultivators to strive for excellence, demonstrate their style and skill, and showcase the spirit of the younger generation in the Southwest Province. Finally, his gaze swept over the thousands of energetic and eager young faces below, and his voice suddenly rose, carrying an undeniable authority.

"I hereby declare that the provincial examination for the Southwest Province shall now begin!"

"All participants, proceed to the designated area immediately for the first round of the draw!"

As soon as the words were spoken, the attendants who were already prepared in the assessment area immediately sprang into action, guiding thousands of young cultivators in an orderly manner to the lottery points scattered throughout the square.

Jiang Xuan followed the crowd to a lottery point and gently pressed the assessment token in his hand onto a jade plate that was shimmering with spiritual light.

A flash of light appeared on the jade plate, revealing a line of clear characters.

"Round 1, Ring 36, Opponent."

Tan Long.

This means that in the first assessment, he will face a cultivator named Tan Long on Arena No. 36.

At the same time, the specific rules for the first round of assessment were also conveyed to each participant through the assessment token.

The rules are not complicated.

There are a total of one hundred arenas set up in the square, where fights can take place simultaneously.

Each assessment has a time limit of one incense stick's time. The winner advances, and the loser is eliminated. If no winner is determined within one incense stick's time, both are eliminated.

The first assessment will have two hundred people on stage. Immediately after that, another two hundred people will take the stage.

This process continues until all 5,436 registered cultivators have completed the first round of battle.

After just this first round of assessment, more than half of the participants will be brutally eliminated! In the end, only 2,718 people will remain!
Such a high elimination rate is truly brutal! Only the truly top-tier experts can withstand round after round of selection and ultimately stand out to join the top 100, which represent supreme glory!
The assessment has officially begun! An invisible battleground instantly filled the entire Qingyun Square!
As Dean Wei Lingzhen announced the start of the assessment, the list of participants for the first match was quickly displayed on the massive spirit-transmitting light screens surrounding the plaza. Two hundred young cultivators, each representing one hundred arenas, were about to engage in fierce competition simultaneously, with a time limit of one incense stick's time.

As soon as the list was released, not only did the contestants in the assessment area focus their attention, but the surrounding audience seats, which could hold nearly 100,000 people, also erupted in a thunderous clamor! Nearly 100,000 eyes swept back and forth across the hundred arenas and the list like searchlights.

Almost everyone's gaze paused when they swept over a certain name and its corresponding arena number, and then an even more heated discussion broke out.

"Arena number 36! Jiang Xuan! It's Jiang Xuan!"

"His opponent is Tan Long? Never heard of him."

"The first match! Jiang Xuan is actually going to fight in the very first match! That's great! We can see his performance without having to wait!"

"Hahaha, this is going to be a feast for the eyes! The main reason I bought a ticket to come in was to see just how powerful Jiang Xuan really is!"

"He beat up Qi Yunxiao and Yuan Shu, and overpowered Huang Jianchen, a genius from the Forbidden City's powerful clans, in the arena... I've heard so many rumors about him! Today I can finally see it for myself!"

"Tan Long is really unlucky. He encountered his 'least favorite opponent' in the first match. He'll probably be eliminated in the first round."

In an instant, the name "Jiang Xuan" swept across Qingyun Square like a whirlwind, repeatedly uttered by nearly 100,000 spectators, the sound echoing throughout the heavens and earth. Without a doubt, this duel on arena number 36 in the first round of the assessment became the absolute focus of everyone's attention!
In a corner of the audience, Gu Liang looked at Jiang Xuan's name on the screen and listened to the deafening cheers and discussions around him, feeling a mix of emotions.

He still clearly remembers that more than a year ago in Donglin City, Jiang Xuan was just an ordinary teenager who needed to sell monster materials to exchange for cultivation resources.

Now, however, he has become a dazzling figure who is highly sought after throughout Yanxia City and even the Southwest Province! This speed of growth is nothing short of legendary.

Even on the white jade platform suspended in mid-air, most of the big shots who had seen it all had their eyes on the direction of arena number 36.

Grand Commander Liu Wujun stroked his beard in silence, his gaze deep and thoughtful. Dean Wei Lingzhen's eyes held a hint of admiration and curiosity. Du Dongtu grinned, making no attempt to hide his interest.

"This young man is Jiang Xuan? In less than a year, he has stirred up such a storm in Yanxia City and risen to fame. He is quite an anomaly."

A senior monk commented softly.

"The battle fought in the rainy night forced many powerful families to bow down; in the arena, they even defeated the Huang family of the Forbidden City in a head-on confrontation... This record is indeed something to be proud of."

Another person echoed.

"Let's see how he performs today. Passing this provincial exam shouldn't be too difficult for him, but we'll have to wait and see how far he goes in the end."

Although the important figures did not say it explicitly, they all clearly had high expectations for Jiang Xuan.

Of course, everything remains uncertain until the outcome is determined.

Meanwhile, in the assessment area, the cultivators who had not yet taken the stage were all focused on the area around arena number 36.

They all wanted to see for themselves, through this real battle, just how terrifyingly powerful the legendary "Jiang Xuan" really was!

……

On stage number 36.

A figure walked up with somewhat heavy steps; it was Tan Long, Jiang Xuan's opponent in this battle.

At that moment, he felt a bitter taste in his mouth and his heart sank even further.

"Damn it! This is just so unlucky!"

Tan Long wailed inwardly.

"It's bad enough that we had to run into this jinx in our first match!!"

He could clearly feel the gazes, almost tangible, coming from all directions, focused on the arena and on him! The pressure of being scrutinized by countless people, and the fact that almost everyone believed he was doomed to lose, made it difficult for him to breathe.

He forced himself to swallow, trying to bolster his courage, and muttered to himself.

"Don't be afraid, don't be afraid... He's also at the Human Realm, and so am I. We're at the same level, so who's afraid of whom! Maybe those rumors are just exaggerations..."

Just as he was trying to comfort himself, a figure walked slowly onto the stage and stood opposite him.

When Tan Long saw the face of the person opposite him, he was first stunned, feeling that the person looked somewhat familiar. Then, he suddenly widened his eyes as if he had seen a ghost, and the color drained from his chubby face instantly!
"Is...is it you?!"

He gasped in shock, his finger trembling as he pointed at Jiang Xuan.

He finally remembered: wasn't this handsome young man the same guy who had stood next to him in the assessment area earlier, the one who had been telling him that Jiang Xuan was "a man with a blue face and fangs, a fierce and menacing figure"?!

Jiang Xuan looked at Tan Long's expression, as if he had been struck by lightning, and couldn't help but find it a little funny. He nodded and asked in a calm tone.

"Your name is Tan Long?"

"Yes Yes……"

Tan Long answered instinctively, then suddenly realized what he had done, and his voice trembled with tears.

"You...you are Jiang Xuan?!"

"Replacement guaranteed."

Jiang Xuan smiled slightly.

Upon confirming the other party's identity, Tan Long felt a chill run from the soles of his feet to the top of his head, his legs going weak. Remembering his earlier "outrageous" descriptions, he wanted to slap himself repeatedly! He hurriedly waved his hands, offering a rambling explanation.

"Brother Jiang... Brother Jiang Xuan! No, Grandpa Jiang Xuan! Just now... just now I was blind and talking nonsense. Please... please be magnanimous and don't hold it against me! I was just... just talking nonsense!"

He was truly afraid. His fear before the battle even began, coupled with his previous reckless remarks, left him utterly devoid of any fighting spirit.

He spoke with a mournful face, almost pleading.

“Brother Jiang Xuan, do you think... is this fight even necessary? Or... could I just admit defeat? That way, I can save you time…”

In the audience, many people saw Tan Long's cowardly demeanor before the battle even began, and even his apparent desire to admit defeat, and immediately burst into undisguised contempt and laughter.

"Coward! Giving up before even fighting?"

"What a disgrace! With this kind of mental fortitude, they dare to participate in the provincial examination?"

"But it's understandable. Who told him to run into Jiang Xuan? It just goes to show how formidable Jiang Xuan is!"

Jiang Xuan listened to Tan Long's pleas, glanced at the audience's reaction, and still wore that faint smile on his face. He shook his head, his tone still calm, but with an undeniable air of authority.

"It's alright, I didn't take those words to heart. However, now that the assessment has begun, we can't treat it lightly. We should take it seriously. Who knows, you might be able to pull off a miracle?"

Tan Long shook his head vigorously, his voice trembling with tears.

"A miracle? What miracle! Brother Jiang Xuan, please stop joking! I admit defeat, I truly admit defeat!"

Jiang Xuan's smile faded slightly, and his tone became a little harsher.

"I said, let's have a serious fight. If you don't make a move, then I will."

Sensing the determination in Jiang Xuan's tone, and the faint, unsettling aura emanating from him, Tan Long knew that this battle was unavoidable.

A flicker of despair crossed his face, but then, as if he had made up his mind, he gritted his teeth and nodded firmly.

"Alright! Since Brother Jiang Xuan insists on giving me guidance, then... then I'll have to offend him!" (End of Chapter)